Colorado Abortion Statistics
State abortion statistics from the leading public and private sources.
Collective state abortion statistics are gathered privately by the Guttmacher Institute and federally by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Because of reporting lag, their most recent data is generally 2-3 years old. In most cases, state-level abortion facts are more current than the numbers reported by Guttmacher or the CDC. Guttmacher’s abortion statistics are estimates built on surveys of all known and suspected abortion providers. For 2014, 58% of queried providers responded to their information request. Abortion totals were estimated for the 42% of abortion providers who did not respond.
To learn more, visit: Prenatal Development, Abortion Procedures or Abortion Pictures
To read abortion stories from Colorado, visit: Abortion Stories (Colorado)
STATE-LEVEL DATA
Total Abortions (2017): 8,873
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reports that 8,873 abortions took place in Colorado during 2017. This number includes abortions performed on out-of-state residents but does not include abortions performed on Colorado residents in other states.
Total Abortions (2016): 8,333
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reports that 8,333 abortions took place in Colorado during 2016. This number includes abortions performed on out-of-state residents but does not include abortions performed on Colorado residents in other states.
SOURCE: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
CDC DATA
Total Abortions (2015): 10,114
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 10,114 abortions took place in Colorado during 2015. This number includes abortions performed on out-of-state residents but does not include abortions performed on Colorado residents in other states. The table below compares Colorado abortion totals by year.
| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,114 | 10,648 | 10,199 | 9,972 | 10,474 | 11,210 | 11,598 | 11,581 | 11,363 | 11,048 |
| 2014 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,114 | 10,648 | 10,199 | 9,972 | 10,474 |
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11,210 | 11,598 | 11,581 | 11,363 | 11,048 |
Abortion Percentage (2015): 13.2%
In 2015, 13.2% of pregnancies in Colorado ended in abortion. This number does not take into account miscarriages. It was arrived at by dividing the state abortion ratio by the sum of the abortion ratio plus 1,000. The abortion ratio is the number of abortions that occurred per 1,000 lives births. The table below compares Colorado abortion percentages by year.
| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 13.2% | 13.9% | 13.6% | 13% | 14% | 15% | 15% | 14% | 14% | 14% |
| United States* | 15.8% | 15.7% | 16.7% | 17% | 18% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% |
| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 13.2% | 13.9% | 13.6% | 13% | 14% |
| United States* | 15.8% | 15.7% | 16.7% | 17% | 18% |
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 15% | 15% | 14% | 14% | 14% |
| United States* | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% |
Out-of-State Abortion Percentage (2015): 11.3%
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 11.3% of the abortions that took place in Colorado were performed on out-of-state residents.
*U.S. averages are limited to reporting districts.
GUTTMACHER DATA
Estimated Total Abortions (2014): 13,160
The Guttmacher Institute estimates that approximately 13,160 abortions took place in Colorado during 2014. In 2011, an estimated 14,710 abortions occured—compared with an estimated 15,960 in 2008 and 16,120 in 2005.
Estimated Abortion Percentage (2014): 17%
In 2014, an estimated 17% of pregnancies in Colorado ended in abortion. This number does not take into account miscarriages. It was arrived at by dividing Guttmacher's abortion estimate by the sum total of live births (65,830)—as reported by the CDC—and estimated abortions.
Estimated Abortion Rate* (2014): 12.1
The Guttmacher Institute estimates that the 2014 abortion rate for Colorado was 12.1. In 2011, the abortion rate in Colorado was 14.2. It was 15.7 in 2008, 16.1 in 2005, and 15.9 in 2000. The 2014 abortion rate across the entire United States was 14.6.
*The abortion rate is the number of abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years.
Percentage of All U.S. Abortions (2014): 1.4%
In 2014, approximately 1.4% of all U.S. abortions occurred in Colorado.
Facilities That Perform Abortions (2014): 36
In 2014, the Guttmacher Institute reports that there were 36 abortion providers in Colorado. There were 42 providers in 2011, 42 providers in 2008, 43 providers in 2005, and 40 providers in 2000.
State Abortion Restrictions (2016):
- Abortion is not covered in insurance policies for public employees.
- The parent of a minor must be notified before an abortion can take place.
- Public funding is available for abortion only in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest.
SOURCE: https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/state-facts-about-abortion-colorado
